Tems, the Nigerian Afrobeat sensation, has spoken out about the difficulties she’s faced since rising to fame. In a recent interview on Big Boy TV, Tems shared that she can no longer drive herself around Lagos without police escorts due to her massive popularity.
Tems’ claim to fame began with her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence,” which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She was also featured on Canadian rapper Drake’s song “Fountains” and later released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears, in 2020. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place, was released in 2021 after signing with RCA Records.
In her interview, Tems expressed that adjusting to fame hasn’t been easy, particularly due to her introverted nature. She admitted to initially struggling with the constant attention and having to adapt to conversations with her team and the public. Tems even shared that she used to confront people who spread rumors about her, not realizing that as a famous person, she wasn’t supposed to engage in such confrontations.
Now, Tems requires police escorts whenever she drives in Nigeria. She can’t go anywhere without being recognized, and even simple tasks like driving have become complicated. Despite her success, Tems longs for the solitude she once had and the freedom to move around without constant attention.